Baataar, C.K.M and Amadu, M.F. 2014. Attitude towards Marriage and Family Formation among Ghanaian Tertiary Students: A Study of University for Development Studies. Journal of Asian Development Studies. 3 (2), pp. 122-134.
| Title | Attitude towards Marriage and Family Formation among Ghanaian Tertiary Students: A Study of University for Development Studies |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Baataar, C.K.M and Amadu, M.F. |
| Abstract | At the centre of Ghanaian society is the institution of marriage and family. These two well established institutions are acknowledged as the foundation of all social life. However, despite the importance of marriage and family, the stability of these two institutions is on the decline in Ghana. This is because of the changing attitude towards marriage and family formation. This changing attitude is more prominent among the literate community in Ghana. The paper sought to assess the perception and attitude of Ghanaian tertiary students towards marriage and family formation. Specifically, the paper assessed the perception of students on marriage and factors they would consider in selecting a potential spouse, determined the opinion of students about family formation and also examined the challenges married students faced in managing the family and seeking higher education and how these challenges affect their family formation. The study revealed that majority of students did not intend to marry but wants to have children. It was also observed that marriage under the ordinance was the most preferred form of marriage by tertiary students while monogamy (single marriage) was the most preferred type of marriage among respondents. While educational status, ethnicity, religious affiliation and financial status came up as the top most factors students would consider in selecting a potential spouse, nuclear family remain the most preferred family type to the traditional African extended family type. The paper also discovered financial constraints, time management constraints, power relations and division of labour as key challenges married students face in their pursuit for higher education which affects not only their academic work but most importantly their marriage and family formation. |
| Keywords | marriage, family formation, cohabitation |
| Journal | Journal of Asian Development Studies |
| Journal citation | 3 (2), pp. 122-134 |
| ISSN | 2304-375X |
| Year | 2014 |
| Publisher | Muhammadin Global Centre for Research and Development |